Help deciding on upgradecs to lighting/electrical

[PhillySpider]

Hi Folks- My headlights are DIM. I know this is simply what all of us who've done nothing to the stock lighting or electrical system live with. I'm in the "definitely doing something soon camp" and looking at a few options. I'd appreciate your input (preference) or alternate suggestions.

1. AutoRicambi's relay kit ($79)- Seems like a well thought out solution, but I'm not too fond of the idea of adding wires, relays and fuses to have to trouble shoot later. Here it is: http://www.autoricambi.us/product/EL4-4 ... --1979-82/

2. Allison's Automotive 120 Amp Alternator Conversion ($209)- no direct link, scrolling required here: http://simpsen.com/store/shop_by_category.php

3. AutoRicambi Cibie H4 headlights ($100 a pair + H4 bulbs)- http://simpsen.com/store/shop_by_category.php

Writing this out, I'm thinking going with the Cibie lights...If they're not much brighter I guess I could always to the alternator or relay kit upgrade. I wonder if the new alternator AND the relay kit would be an even better combo or if there's no improvement over the alternator upgrade alone.

Look forward to your input...my wife refuses to drive in our Spider at night due to heavy deer traffic and winding country roads. Honestly it is a little scary, you don't see the buggers until you're right on top of them or next to you. Think Tommy Boy!

[aj81spider]

The relay kit is your best choice.

The alternator will do nothing to improve the brightness of the lights. They are dim because of voltage drops - the alternator improves the current output of your present alternator, but all the voltage drops will be the same.

The Cibie might be a little better, but will also be dimmer than desired because they will not be getting full voltage either.

I put in a relay kit and the difference was significant.

[KevAndAndi]

I installed the Gregory Smith relay kit. That may be the same one offered by AR. You can contact Gregory at:

gfs@gregoryfsmith.com

I got the kit directly from him, and it is high-quality, plug-and-play, easy to install. You shouldn't have any hesitation about installing it. It's not an invasive modification, and it shouldn't require any troubleshooting. It's about as complex as adding an extension cord to Christmas tree lights.

It did improve my old sealed-beam illumination, but I intend to eventually install the Cibies to get the full effect.

Another electrical upgrade that is worth doing is the starter relay. I put together my own kit from components bought on Amazon. This is also easy.

[AriK]

You won't gain anything by ordering the kit from Greg Smith himself, he's likely to steer you into AR's direction. I bought his kit shortly before it was available from AR therefore (pricewise) i know there's nothing to gain by going through him directly.
When one orders the kit he's likely to install it immediately as it's a plug & play procedure. BTW, kit is well assembled. Done in 20 min. When one plans to fabricate the kit himself and plans to put it together sometime in the future it's likely a project on the horizon. Save 60 bucks but it may cost you the ignition switch as you wait, or worse, you won't get around to it at all.. No gain there unless you're well-determined and do it now.

[binster16]

Lights - relay kit is huge improvement. I got mine from Intl Auto. Sure similar to others. Simple to install.
This allows power directly to the lights...bypassing the ignition switch. There is way too much passing thru the ignition switch. The switch contacts corrode, then the car won't start. BTW, if your ignition corrodes, you can disassemble, clean, reinstall. I did this 10 years ago. Was told replacement switches were junk then, and would fail in a year or two.

Second best electrical upgrade - new starter. I installed a gear reduction starter from AutoRicambi. Again, huge improvement. Takes much less power, and spins right up fast. No more cranking, and hoping.

Third...clean every electrical connection in the car. I simply clean a few every time I do something else on the car. 30+ years generates corrosion. Corrosion generates headaches.

[Squidders]

AR relay kit. It made my lights really bright and it was easy to install.

[PhillySpider]

Relay kit is in my cart, along with the f'g chrome interior door armrest button. $10 for that?!...pending a conversation with them to figure out which key blanks I need to add!

[vandor]

For the headlights the relay kit should be first on the list. The alternator actually would make the lights brighter, as these modern alternators put out about one more volt that the original Fiat ones, making all the lights brighter.

https://autoricambi.us/products/alterna ... erformance

[DieselSpider]

Good point on the modern electronics in the newer alternators. Mine has the Hitachi 65 amp alternator that was used by Isuzu on the diesel engine and although I have not put the relays in yet the lights have never seemed as dull as reported here.

A local auto-electric shop should be able to put a more modern rectified/regulator on the OEM alternator for those that want to stay close to stock and still benefit from the newer electronics without the additional HP drag from a higher amperage alternator.

[PhillySpider]

The relay kit should arrive here today, hopefully I'll get it installed this weekend. All I've read here seems it's very straight forward, but any suggestions appreciated. I saw one comment here researching this about the instructions being off somehow, but can't seem to find the thread now. Additionally I'll get my $10 chrome button for the armrest and key blanks. Can anyone comment on which way to turn the key in the door to lock it? I locked it once, but now neither door seems to be cooperating. A little WD40 perhaps in the mechanism?

[DieselSpider]

The key gets turned towards the back of the car to lock the doors. Thats clockwise on the drivers side and counter clockwise on the passenger side in the States.

[Dawgme85]

IIRC, if the door is locked using the inside door handle, the key won't unlock it? I never lock the doors, so this is from memory.

[DieselSpider]

IIRC, if the door is locked using the inside door handle, the key won't unlock it? I never lock the doors, so this is from memory.

My passenger doors unlock from the outside even if I lock them from the inside. Sometimes I reach over and lock the opposite door than I am exiting from and can still unlock it from the outside with the key. Many insurance companies will reduce or totally deny coverage if a car is left unlocked so if I am leaving the car out of my line of sight then I put the top up and lock the doors.

[PhillySpider]

IIRC, if the door is locked using the inside door handle, the key won't unlock it? I never lock the doors, so this is from memory.

My passenger doors unlock from the outside even if I lock them from the inside. Sometimes I reach over and lock the opposite door than I am exiting from and can still unlock it from the outside with the key. Many insurance companies will reduce or totally deny coverage if a car is left unlocked so if I am leaving the car out of my line of sight then I put the top up and lock the doors.

I have a 1980...I don't think i can lock the doors from the inside.

[ORFORD2004]

I have a 1980...I don't think i can lock the doors from the inside

Yes push down your door handle.